The explain_openat_or_die function is used to call the openat(2) system call. On failure an explanation will be printed to stderr, obtained from the explain_openat(3) function, and then the process terminates by calling exit(EXIT_FAILURE).

The explain_openat_on_error function is used to call the openat(2) system call. On failure an explanation will be printed to stderr, obtained from the explain_openat(3) function, but still returns to the caller.